We did indeed pootle back to France, and our little very Breton notaire did complete the work we so handsomely paid him for in advance! We all let out a collection Phewwwwwwww as we left his office!
Since then life as a Customs OIC stepped up a gear. Andy is still very short staffed awaiting for various agencies to complete paperwork and sort out the movement of three new UK officers, and his single remaining officer at Dhekelia had a horrific cycle accident, breaking 6 ribs, collarbone and pelvis! Thankfully he is recovering well and the medical treatment here is second to none.
Suddenly, we were then catapulted into schmoosing season. There is a period of about 6 weeks on the run up to Christmas, and again in May/June when the invites roll in to various functions we are expected to attend. Don't get me wrong we do enjoy these do's, who wouldn't? We get to visit the High Commissioners residence, watch military pomp and splendor and then there is the function of the year in the village next to us (I feel Mr Reed will do a much better job than me of retelling that particularly story so I'm leaving that one up to him).
We have squished in a little visit to Troodos again and another weekend at the coast, at some time during April we realised our time here will be over in the blink of an eye so in our quest to visit as much of Cyprus as possible we booked a few nights away in areas we haven't visited before.
Andy checking out how to make an enormous still!
Omodos village
Koilani winery
We visited the wine making region in Troodos, some Cypriot wine can be wonderfully smooth, although there are others where you need to man up for the first glass then miraculously every other glass after that is delicious.
This trip really was quite rustic and authentic, we loved it, old boys playing back gammon in the local tavernas, everyone speaking Greek, no menus, you simply ate what they had to offer, and meals were followed by a Greeklish chat with the landlord and some of his special 'homebrew'. The only exception Omodos which was a little more touristy with quaint craft shops, cobbled streets and cafes with menus! We will be returning to Koilani, it will probably be one of those last minute kinda trips that are needed after a demanding week at work, a relaxing and rural getaway!
Beccy xxx
